This is my new 4 tier Growhouse in situ.
It’s home to a select few tomato plants on a trial run. The trial run is to see if it can stay put.
I put it together whilst the London Marathon was on TV in the background. I figured that if someone dressed as a tomato could run the marathon then I could construct a small plastic shelf unit by the time the tomato crossed the finish line.
In the event it was straightforward, no isotonic drinks or foil blankets were needed in its making. However putting it out in the garden complete with tomato plants – another matter. Lightweight whilst an advantage in fancy dress running costumes is less of one in something that is going to be out in wind and rain.
I could see it either taking off like a Tomato Tardis or coming to grief and falling flat on its face and taking the tomato plants with it. And what a vale of tears that would be…..
So I decided what it needed was staking. With what I wasn’t quite sure but with this solar systems largest and newest B&Q nearby I felt sure finding a suitable something would not be a problem.
Derek (very helpful, completely lived up to the adverts) in Power Tools recommended ‘hoop hooks’. Used to fix trampolines, kids’ goal nets etc. Even drew me one on his notepad. Except they didn’t stock them. Honestly, if you could have seen the aisle of hardware we were standing in combined with the number of trampolines in every garden I find it hard to believe there wasn’t a single one to be had. (But maybe trampolines come ready supplied, manufacturers of plastic grow houses, take note).
So now I had a quest. It took on all the confusion of the Fork Handles.
In the end I neither got hooks, hoop or bill, hoes or hose nor candles.
In the end 19cm tent hooks and garden twine were put into action. It’s a long time since I’ve been camping. I’m not convinced that one strong gust of wind and I won’t be stripped of tomatoes and my Girl Guide badges.
Do you have one of these plastic grow houses? Is tomato tornado a likely occurrence – and if so how did you secure yours to prevent that happening?
P.S. Whilst outside channeling my dormant camping skills I also took a couple of photos of the garden – or Tomato Towers as it’s now known. At the moment it’s short of both ( although the 4 tier house is a start) but build it and they will grow and ripen is my motto ! Here are a couple of pics pre- tomato takeover !
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